RES & VAL

As the girl spoke Res continued to move, nodding her head in recognition of each of the things she spoke of. Valiance gave out a short chirp-like noise to let Res know that the herbs were out of the ground and laid out in piles against the side of the garden. "We'll see what we have then," Res said, a gentle smile upon her maw though she stayed quiet the rest of the walk there.

She was never the one to be strong, or to know how to really act in large groups. If the other mares wished to converse more then she wouldn't stop them - she just wasn't comfortable herself. And, upon arriving at the garden she began to nose the five piles of plants. A few of them served a couple different purposes, but all seemed to actually be what the younger one had asked for help with.

Res headed over to the pile of Elm bark, picking it up with her teeth before Valiance attached himself to it with his talons and flew a few paces from her cranium, holding onto the bark as his height in the air bobbled between two feet and three feet. "This is Elm. It grows on a shorter tree, with oval shaped, saw-edged leaves. This bark is especially good for pregnant mothers, but it can also treat burns, cuts, and sore throats." There was a gentle nod and a tired Valiance released his claws as the bark clattered back into its pile. "It should be simple enough to find as it is pretty widespread."

Next, she picked up the Shepherd's Purse and Valiance took it as well, repeating the process but without as much change in height. "Sheperd's Purse,", she said pointing to the rosette leaves and small white flowers with heart shaped pods upon it. "This is for wounds that are bleeding and it acts as a pain reliever by constricting some muscles. However, this isn't recommended when your patient is pregnant. Not quite sure what it does, but it's not good..." she explained before nodding her head and having Valiance drop it again. "You'll find it on the sides of paths where many have traveled and in fields - so it might be abundant in the Falls?"

She lowered her head again, but this time before she could grab the dried, aromatic flowers from an Evergreen tree Valiance had already snagged them and was in his position once more. "Cloves help deal with the infections and serve as a pain reliever - a good tool to keep in your arsenal as you'll need these to make sure that open wounds don't grow worse." A gentle pause and a nod and it was dropped once more. "Found in more humid, tropical areas that have water all year long. It must be used as a salve and be massaged into the are around the skin. If there is no wound it can also help with sore muscles, so elderly patients might find it useful." She finished before moving to the next pile.

Valiance once again lifted it up before Res could grab it, a proud smile on his face before he did anything. The blue-tinted herb with some purple and yellow-green flowers were clutched in his talons as Res began to speak. "Blue Cohesh. This aids in childbirth, another good one to keep on hand when you start to see those mares beginning to carry the weight." Another nod, another drop, "And you'll tend to find these in moist woodlands, so the Threshold is a great place to look if you have the time," she finished.

One more time over and Valiance had the oval leaves and the fringy yellow flowers in his claws. "This is Witch Hazel. It grows on a tall shrub whose leaves look like this and have these yellow flowers in the fall. It can be used on rashes, abrasions, and other inflammatory conditions of the skin. It has to be used as a salve though, to be of use." Another nod and it falls. "Generally, you'll find it in more temperate climates."

There was a pause and she began to put each of the herbs she spoke about on a very curved piece of Elm bark. "Here. Take some of these back with you to help start your collection. We can always find more." Carefully, Valiance pulled up the Elm bark and placed it at Kiara's feet for her to take it back. A gentle smile laced Res's face before she spoke back up again. "And if you ever want assistance in finding some herbs, let me know. We can send you out with one of our nurses if you'd like." She offered, still feeling for the mare who she had worked with for some time in the Edge as Valiance curled up in his nest in Res's mane.

All she could hope was that it would be of some assistance for Kiara as she went on her venture to be a healer in the Falls, and she hoped that Kiara had found a home she felt safe in.

HealeR

world's edge